Senior Living: Becoming immersed in classical European art history

The history of European art is well ingrained into the public consciousness. Even the casual observer has received some direct or indirect exposure to notable artists, artistic movements, and specific artistic works. Reference personalities like Monet, or movement names like impressionism may inspire some passing images in the minds of most people, but to genuinely develop a deep understanding of European art history requires an individual to purposefully dig deep into the nuance of its historical progression.

Such an endeavor is intellectually stimulating, and is a rewarding pursuit that fits naturally into a modern senior lifestyle. Retirement provides an ideal opportunity to spend time with a rich topic that begs to be examined closely. Finding an entry point into art history is a natural starting point in every person’s discovery. Because the number of artists and individual works is so vast, it helps to get started by examining a particular movement, artist, or era, in detail. This helps a person to discover where their personal tastes are found, or to develop their personal tastes. Finding preference for a style, artist, or even specific works, is the start of a deeper appreciation.

Observing eras in detail

Art history contains many overlapping and semi overlapping periods. Stylistically, works can be divided by the time periods in which they were created. At the same time, certain specific movements occurred among smaller groups of artists in specific locations. An example of a movement is the Impressionist movement in France in the mid to late 19th century. This movement included notable artists such as Monet and Renoir, and was characterized by an overarching theme of vivid scenes using very fine brush strokes. Examining the movement in this kind of detail heightens a person’s understanding of the movement, and can spark interest in other movements and art periods.

Choosing to focus on the history

While some people focus on the nuance of the technique, color, or content of art pieces, other people find great interest in the events surrounding the artwork. What kind of things were happening in the world which inspired this art? There is no right or wrong approach to immersing yourself in art, and the most fulfilling examination likely involves exploring all of the details to form an overarching understanding of art history.